Customer Reviews

WWE: Nature Boy Ric Flair - The Definitive Collection

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I just bought this release yesterday and let me say that it gets four stars because of the documentary, the stories section, tribute video and for showing the RAW tribute segment in its entirety! Now, let's break this one down:

Disc 1 features a near 2 hour documentary on Ric Flair with comments from former NWA announcer David Crockett, Harley Race, Kevin Von Erich, Dusty Rhodes, Tully Blanchard, Barry Windham, Arn Anderson, JJ Dillon and others. It covers his beginnings from his early life, the AWA, the Mid-Atlantic area (including that near fatal plane crash), his days at NWA champion, The Four Horsemen, his feuds with Dusty Rhodes, Rick Steamboat and Sting, his time in WWF/WWE, his problems in WCW, his WWE return (including Evolution, his Wrestlemania X-8 bout with The Undertaker and his final days as a wrestler).

Disc 1 also features some short stories from the man himself and a tribute video to Flair.

Disc 2 and 3 are just matches and promos. Let's go into Disc 2 for a bit:

Vs. Jack Brisco - Flair was in his first run as NWA champion as he took on former NWA champion Jack Brisco in a mostly scientific match. This wasn't for the title by the way, it was more of an impromptu match.

Vs. Kerry Von Erich (NWA World Title match/2 out of 3 falls) - If all you know of Kerry Von Erich is the "Texas Tornado" or just a member of the tragic Von Erich family, you really need to see this! I personally think he was better here than the day he won the title from Flair in 1984! This one felt like a war! This match also led to the infamous cage match that began the epic Von Erich/Freebird story.

Vs. Harley Race (NWA World Title Match) - This was notable because it happened on television and it was rare for a title match to be on TV. It gives you a glimpse of what was to come at Starrcade '83 later that year.

Ric Flair, Ole & Arn Anderson Vs. Dusty Rhodes, Magnum T.A. & Manny "Ragin' Bull" Fernandez - This was a wild six man tag that came on the heels of Dusty's injury at the hands of Flair and the Andersons. My problem with this one isn't the match itself, its great! It is because this entry was more appropriate for the Ric Flair & The Four Horsemen release than this set. I kind of felt the same way about Ric Flair's bout with Ricky Morton on the aforementioned set. That bout would've been a great entry on this one.

Vs. Sting (Clash Of The Champions) - I originally stated that this match was overused. That was an error on my part as I thought this bout was on Ultimate Ric Flair when in fact it was another Sting/Flair encounter. As for this match, I won't knock much because this match proved why Flair is a legend and this match made Sting a legend in his own right.

Vs. Terry Funk (The Great American Bash) - I personally like this bout better than their more famous "I Quit" match that took place later that year in 1989. The Flair neck injury angle added drama to the match up. I haven't looked at WWE's version of this match but I do know that afterwards was one of the wildest post match brawl I've ever seen with both Sting and Japanese star The Great Muta getting involved with Flair and Funk!

Disc 3

Vs. "Rowdy" Roddy Piper - I will say that I wished they would've put one of Piper Vs. Flair matches from the Mid-Atlantic area on here. Still, its a rare match and it is pretty good. Nothing on the level of Flair/Steamboat or Flair/Sting but it doesn't suck either.

Vs. Ricky Steamboat (WCW World Title Match) - While a great matchup from 1994, it falls short of their classics in 1989. Still, when these two got together, you are hard pressed to find a bad match between "The Nature Boy" and "The Dragon."

Vs. HHH (Taboo Tuesday 2005) - One of the best cage matches ever! While I do think this could've been left off for another Flair classic from the 1980's, the match itself is great!

Vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania 24) - Another that could've been left off since this WM is now available. But the match itself is a classic so I have nothing bad to say about the match in itself.

This disc also has the Flair Farewell Address along with some promos from his NWA days.

Overall, it isn't a total waste of money in my view but it could've been better. Interesting to note that when discussing the Greenville reunion of the Horsemen, they actually show Chris Benoit (though he isn't mentioned directly). While my opinion of the man is low, I am glad WWE didn't alter the footage just to please people.

Anyway, WWE's latest release falls short on the matches but makes up for it with the documentary and the promos and, of course, the farewell address. On this one, you will have to decide if its worth the price. For myself, I was mostly pleased though I agree that the selections of matches could've been better or at least another disc which I would've gladly paid more money for.

It's hard to condense Ric Flair's pro wrestling career, even on 3 full DVD's. WWE already did a 3 DVD set hosted by Flair in 2003 (The Ultimate Collection Set). This complation basically picks up where that one left off with more interviews and behind the scenes footage and fewer matches.

Here you get a two hour long biography where Flair takes you threw his career, from his earliest days in the AWA to the "Win Or Retire" angle that played out until this past March at WrestleMania 24. A veritable who's who of wrestling, from Nick Bockwinkle to HHH add comentary at different points. Flair is definately honest, and not always nice, although much of what he says has already been printed in multiple books, etc. Not a lot of new ground, just Flair in his words better explaining a lot of "old ground", along with plenty of match highlights and promo interviews from his heyday on TBS Saturday Night Wrestling show.

There are extras such as "Flair's Final Weekend" as WWE cameras follow the Nature Boy around Orlando during the WrestleMania Weekend (which included Flair's induction into the Hall Of Fame), and Flair receiving a key to the city in for his charitable work one week prior to his final match. The complete tribute to Flair from the post-WrestleMania Monday Night Raw TV broadcast is shown, including footage not seen on live TV including Vince McMahon and The Undertaker, among others.

Match wise you get an eclectic mix of famous matches not included in the first set from 5 yrs ago (Sting from The Clash Of Champions TV Special, March 1988 and vs Terry Funk from the 1989 Great American Bash PPV) as well as never before released classics like his impromptu battle with fellow Hall Of Famer Jack Brisco on Mid Atlantic Wrestling TV in 1982 (an exceptionally good match for free TV) and a never before televised battle with "Rowdy" Roddy Piper from Madison Square Garden in 1991 after Flair first arrived in the WWE.

None of the matches are bad, in fact every one is 4or 5 star quality. Some famouse Flair matches were left off. Flair's TLC (Tables, Ladders, and Chairs) Match vs Edge from Jan 2006 and his "I Quit" Match vs Mick Foley from SummerSlam 2006 are obvious missed from his later years, although both have been issued on other DVD releases. There is a rumored "Best Of Starrcade" set supposedly in the works by WWE which may explain why such matches as vs Lex Luger (Starrcade 88, arguably Luger's best ever Main Event Match) and his win or retire match vs Vader (Starrcade 93)were excluded.

Personally, I would like to have seen a Flair/Piper match from their wild early 80's days, although the one here from Flair's first WWE run is pretty good. Likewise I personally think the last ever televised Flair vs Steamboat Match from May 1994 which ended their feud is better than the April, 1994 Pay Per View bout included here but this is an excellent match.

Combined with the first "Ultimate Collection" you get a pretty good overview of the most decorated career in pro wrestling. On it's own it's better than average, a B plus. Fact is, Flair's career had so many terrific moments it is hard to condense them, even in a 3 disc set. You definately will be entertained, and the less well known matches are true keepers. The biography portion is at times moving, and the emotional final tribute from RAW is an absolute collectors must have, easily the single biggest send off anyone in pro wrestling ever got, hands down. If you are a Flair fan you will really enjoy this set, if you are a pro wrestling fan, especially from the last 25 yrs, this set will not leave you disappointed. Is there more material that could have been added, yes, but this set is still worth the investment. Plus, if WWE does finish the "Best Of Starrcade" set than many of the matches fans have lamented missing here will be on DVD.

This release coming as a sequel to the ultra successful "Ultimate" collection does not or will not disappoint. If you love pro wrestling, if you love Ric Flair, you will find it essential to not only own this DVD, but also the "Ultimate Flair Collection DVD" itself.

I will rate everything on a 10 point scale. 1 being the lowest and 10 perfection.

Disc 1:

Documentary (10/10) - Flair really opens up and isn't afraid to pull any punches and tell it like it is. You really gain more respect of Ric Flair, while the Ultimate Collection was more about Flair's matches this documentary is more about Ric Flair the man. Toward the end of the documentary it becomes more of a tribute by fellow WWE superstars Stone Cold Steve Austin, John Cena, HHH, HBK, Batista, and Randy Orton, but also you see an emotional Flair who really chokes up toward the end. This is a must watch.

Special Features w/Flair Tribute video (8/10) - nothing really earth shattering, but you get awesome 2 minutes vignettes of short stories that Flair tells you about his life. Also is the Flair Tribute video which is really nice put together. Nothing earth shattering but worth checking out.

Discs 2 & 3: Matches

Jack Brisco - Mid Atlantic Championship Wrestling 8-18-1982 (8/10) - This was an impromptu bout but what you see is Flair wrestle more of a scientific bout and push his wrestling acumen. It is a really good bout has some down time in it but it is a solid match in this set.

Kerry Von Erich - World Class Championship Wrestling 8-24-1982 (10/10) - This is probably going to be the most under-rated bout on this set. Diehard fans know how great Kerry Von Erich is and Flair and Kerry put on a classic bout which is 2 of 3 falls title match. You will not be disappointed

Harley Race - Mid Atlantic Championship Wrestling 8-31-1983 (9/10) - The precursor to Starcade 1983, the fued of Flair and Race heats up here for a classic title bout. You really start to see here Flair take over as a star and Race performs legendary as well

Ric Flair, Arn & Ole Anderson vs. Dusty Rhodes, Magnum TA, & Manny Fernandez - World Wide Wrestling 12-15-1985 (10/10) - The match is solid, not great and not bad either but you get a Four Horseman bout in somewhat of a stable match. Flair had injured Dusty Rhodes and everyone rounds their men up.

Sting - Clash of the Champions I 3/27/1988 (10/10) - This is probably the signature bout on this DVD, if I could I would rate this bout 100. It is a personal favorite of mine and you will not be disappointed. It is 45 minutes of mayhem and J.J. Dillon is suspended above the ring!

Terry Funk - Great American Bash 7/23/1989 (9/10) - This is a great bout from two good rivals. You will not be disappointed!

"Rowdy" Roddy Piper - Madison Square Garden 10/28/1991 (7/10) - This is a solid match between two great rivals. Piper who never looked up to anybody and Flair who looked down at everybody. It is a good brawl and is a match more so to remind of how good Roddy Piper can be against the elite!

Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat - Spring Stampede 4/17/1994 (8/10) - A Flair/Steamboat bout is as good as a match as any you can have, but it is disappointing that the WWE didn't put the Chi-Town Rumble bout on this match to complete the trilogy of legendary bouts between Flair and Steamboat. While I can rant over and over about why that match should be on here, this match is really the last great match by Steamboat and the two put on a classic bout here.

Hunter Hearst Helmsley - Taboo Tuesday 11/1/2005 (8/10) - You really learn how special Flair can be in this bout for the Intercontinetal title bout in a Steel Cage. In my eyes Flair puts out that last classic match and both get bloody you won't be disappointed.

Shawn Michaels - Wrestlemania XXIV 3/30/2008 (for the match (10/10) for the sentimental value 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000/10) - The match that ended Ric Flair's career is a classic bout you knew Flair couldn't dodge any more bullets but he puts on a great show. You really can not measure how much Flair means to fans and fellow wrestlers. You can argue that you might rather have another match from the 1980's or 1990's from Flair but this match is great.

Disc 3: Special Features

Ric Flair's Farewell Address - I can not score it, it is immeasurable the emotion that night. I remember watching it that night and having a tear in my eye. To me it is not a farewell, but a celebration of excellence and only one man could have commanded that and that was Ric Flair!

Promos (100/10) - I am serious these are hilarious and great. This is what you call mic skills and if you are a wrestler today, or you want to be one, or you just want to learn to be cool watch these. Slick Ric is the the Limousine Riding, Jet Flying, Woman Stealing, Styling and Profiling!!!!!

Overview - While I almost thought is was impossible to top the Ultimate Flair collection, the WWE did. They put together another DVD set that you will not be disappointed in. This set is priceless

Overall I thought that this was a pretty good DVD set, however, there are a lot more Flair matches that the WWE could have put on this DVD that would have made it an even better product.

The matches are as follows:
Ric Flair vs. Jack Brisco (8/18/82)--I have to admit when I first read that this match was going to be on the set i was excited, however, when I watched the match I was a little dispointed. It was just a sub par match, nothing to really get excited about. I give it one and a half stars!

Ric Flair vs. Kerry Von Erich (8/24/82)--This was a pretty good match. Von Erich and Flair usually had good matches and this one was good, not great, but good. I think if I was the WWE I would have maybe put on the match from Texas Stadium where Von Erich won the title. Now, that was a great match. I give this one two stars!

Ric Flair vs. Harley Race (8/31/83)--This was another ok match. I think the DVD would have been better served with just another match and not this one. I give this match one and a half stars!

Ric Flair, Arn and Ole Anderson vs. Dusty Rhodes, Magnum TA and Manny Fernandez (12/15/85)--To me this was a waste of space on this DVD. Once again, to me, this match should have been cut with the Race match and filled with another, much better match from the vast archives of Flair's career. I give this match a half star!

Ric Flair vs. Sting (3/27/88)--This was the first really good match they included on this DVD. This was the match that definatly made Sting a household name. In my opinion, this is one of the best matches of all time going a full 45 minutes. Great match!! I give this match 4 stars!!

Ric Flair vs. Terry Funk (7/23/89)--This was a pretty good match not like their Clash of the Champions 9 match that they had. Again, this match could have been cut and had another match put in its place but it's still worth watching. I give this match two and a half stars!

Ric Flair vs. Roddy Piper (10/28/91)--Entertaining match to watch but again another just ok match to put on this DVD set. If you like Flair and you like Piper then you may like this match but it's still just ok. I give this match two stars!

Ric Flair vs. Ricky Steamboat (4/17/94)--You have Flair and you have Steamboat, what more needs to be said. These guys in the ring is like watching poetry in motion. Great match to put on this DVD set, a lot of fun to watch. I give this match three and a half stars!

Ric Flair vs. Triple H (11/1/05)--Awesome match!!! One of the bloodiest matches I have ever seen and also one of Flair's best performances in the ring. This match proved that Flair could still get it done in the ring. Great match! I give this match four stars!!

Ric Flair vs. Shawn Michaels (3/30/08)--This was Flair's last match and really, honestly, I don't know why people say this is a great match. I thought this match was again just ok. It was a slow match and kind of fun to watch but still nothing to harp over. I actually thought the Edge/Undertaker match was a better one on the card. I give this match two and a half stars!!

Overall, this DVD is worth getting especially for the essential Ric Flair fan. The documentary is very well done as are most of the WWE documentaries and the extras are fun too. All in all i would recommend this DVD but again, the matches are to me sub par.

Of the millions of classic matches that Flair had, why were we treated to the ones we saw, like the forever showed Clash 1 with him and Sting.....that was on volume 1. Where was the Starrcade 84 vs. Dusty Rhosed, Starrcade 86 vs. Nikita, July 11 1987 match against Jimmy Garvin? I only watched the Terry Funk match so far. I do have another complaint, but not about the DVD, but about Flair himself in the documentary. He was talking way too low, and at times, I had to turn the volume up to hear what he was saying. He was almost mumbling. Vince, this is another DVD that you didn't put together right.

I don't know why there are so many neg. reviews on this dvd set. I really enjoyed the doc. on the first disc. Disc 3 features the entire Farewell address plus the off air stuff is included, also features some great promos. People just love to complain.

The Ultimate Collection went into Flair's famous feuds, The 4 Horsemen went into the history of the legendary group, but now...we get the story on the man himself in Ric Flair.

The documentary begins with Flair being a "black market baby" & growing up playing football before going into how he met Verne Gagne through Ken Patera & eventually go into the NWA though Wahoo McDaniels. The story behind the plane crash that forever effected his life was gone into before the story of how he became "The Nature Boy" was heavily discussed & the importance of his United States Championship run. Flair's first NWA Championship run, all the politics surrounding it, the responsibility of behind the WORLD champion, and how it effected his family was heavily discussed here before going into the buildup for Starrcade & how his second NWA Title reign was different from the first one. Flair's "stylin' & profilin'" image & lifestyle along with stories behind his memorable catchphrases is talked about next before going into a brief story behind the formation of the Horsemen & their feud with Dusty Rhodes. Flair's classic matches with Sting, Ricky Steamboat, and Terry Funk are talked about next before all the problems Jim Crockett Promotions encountered leading to Turner buying the company & Flair eventually leaving. Flair's run as the "Real World's Champion" is discussed along with why the feud with Hogan didn't really happen before Flair's return to WCW & how there was problems from day one is also touched upon. Flair's involvement with Hogan & Savage coming to WCW, the misuse of his character, and problems regarding Eric Bischoff was discussed next followed by Flair reflecting on the last Nitro & WCW going out of business. Flair's return to the WWE & all the confidence issues he had for months were dove into before talking about his importance in the group of Evolution with Orton & Batista giving their favorite Flair moments before briefly talking about his feud with Mick Foley. The documentary wraps up with comments about Flair's WrestleMania weekend by going into the Hall Of Fame, his match with Shawn Michaels, and his farewell on RAW.

DVD Extras spread across all the disc are bonus stories regarding Superstar Billy Graham helping Flair bleach his hair, tales of hanging out with Dusty Rhodes & Dick Murdock, how Flair buying wrestling boots foreshadowed his future "Nature Boy" lifestyle, Flair's current wife talking about his relationship with Shawn Michaels & Evolution members Triple H & Batista, and two hidden stories about Flair hitchhiking from Minnesota to Florida & a story regarding the plane crash. Along with the bonus stories come 9 Flair promos (1 was a hidden extra on Flair's first DVD), the tribute music video, highlights of Flair receiving a key to the city of Columbia, SC, and the farewell on RAW with bonus footage of what happened off the air with Undertaker & Vince McMahon making their appearances.

Matches include:
vs. Jack Brisco - This was during Flair's first run as NWA Champion & nothing more past a short encounter that showcased some good old school wrestling & great storytelling by both men.
"Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling" Aug. '82

2 Out Of 3 Falls vs. Kerry Von Erich - This match is very much like a lot of the matches on this disc in that it's a "lost classic" that gets overshadowed by their more popular encounters. While everyone remembers their cage match & the match were Kerry won the title, this was better than both of them. They went hard for 45 mins. with the first fall not even happening until half way into the match...this was a wrestling war.
"World Class Championship Wrestling" Aug. '82

vs. NWA Champion Harley Race - This was more of a preview for the upcoming cage match at Starrcade as they went back & forth here in a good wrestling encounter that gets overshadowed by the ending of Bob Orton & Dick Slater collecting the bounty for injuring Flair. As a side note, you can see why they call Harley one of the toughest men in wrestling as he just kept using head butts throughout the match to hurt Flair knowing those got to hurt himself.
(The conclusion of his match can be seen on Ultimate Ric Flair Collection)
"Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling" Aug. '83

w/Arn & Ole Anderson vs. Dusty Rhodes, Magnum T.A., Manny Fernandez - This match didn't last long (around 10 mins.) but from bell to bell between all 6 men, this was a fun match to watch. It wasn't a classic wrestling match by any means but just each man doing what they do best as far as being entertaining & being able to hold the hot crowd in the psalms of their hands.
"World Wide Wrestling" Dec. '85

NWA World Heavyweight Championship Match vs. Sting - This was the match that made Sting a household name overnight. James J. Dillion was suspended over the ring in the cage to prevent interference in what has gone down as a classic encounter that has stood the test of time today. They went to a time limit draw & had a split decision with judges (which defeats the purpose of the judges in the first place but whatever). When Flair said on the Horsemen DVD that "we made a career making guys...", this was the best example possible that fits that statement.
(The conclusion of this match can be seen on the Ultimate Ric Flair collection)
Clash of the Champions I

NWA World Heavyweight Championship Match vs. Terry Funk - This match gets heavily overshadowed by their "I Quit" match later in the year or even by the infamous Thunderdome Cage Match with Sting & Muta at Halloween Havoc the month before that but this match was the one that kicked the whole feud off after Funk attacked Flair at WrestleWar. Just classic Funk in that the match was wild with them beginning the fight on the floor for keeping it on the outside for various parts of the bout. The rest of the match was Flair & Funk one upping each other by focusing on each other's necks & even using the branding iron against each other at one point or another. I consider this a lost classic & a different type of match than what you would see from Flair before this feud. And keep watching afterwards as they show one of the wildest post-match brawls in wrestling.
Great American Bash '89

vs Roddy Piper - Flair's MSG debut for this WWE run (his original MSG debut is on the "Ultimate Ric Flair Collection"). I made the note on Piper's set that he was missing a Flair match so I'm glad a match from their feud is here. While this wasn't a great wrestling match, it was very entertaining as Flair tried to play Piper's game of brawling along with both men pulling off their comedic spots just made you chuckle a time or two.
"MSG" Dec. '91

vs. Ricky Steamboat - They meet in same city that started their famous trilogy 5 years earlier. The match was a nice back & forth encounter between the two that features various "deja vu" moments. However, Steamboat & Flair had 5 years worth of hype & a legacy of their previous trilogy to live up to which they couldn't top in this match.
Spring Stampede '94

Steel Cage Match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship vs. Triple H - Without a doubt, match of the night for this PPV & one of the best matches of this year that's heavily forgotten about. Both guys bleed hard (Flair gets busted over in the opening minutes) with Triple H being just vicious & even using a steel chain while on Flair just never gave up & kept fighting back. Great match with the bonus of Joey Styles doing his old fashioned style of commentary which added to the storytelling of the match...even to the point where Joey pointed out at the beginning just how important the Intercontinental Championship meant in this match.
Taboo Tuesday '05

Career Threatening Match vs. Shawn Michaels - Shawn gave Ric the best match he's had since the 2005 series of matches with Triple H. This match was an emotional rollercoaster as you saw Ric Flair pulling out some of his old "dirtiest player in the game" tricks on HBK throughout the match while HBK was conflicted with "putting 'Old Yeller' out of his misery" & even held back from taking Flair out with sweet chin music early in the match. During one point, HBK returned Flair's slap from RAW & drew "first blood" on Flair by making his mouth bleed while later, Flair looked like he was fighting for his life in HBK's figure four & even ripped off the bottom turnbuckle post in the process of trying to get out of it. However, Flair's career was ended with the words "I'm sorry, I love you" & the third sweet chin music. This was the type of performance that Ric Flair needed to end his career on...and he got it.
WrestleMania 24

In the end, the documentary covered what wasn't already covered in Flair's previous sets without repeating the a lot of the information & heard from people that we don't normally hear from like David Crockett, Jack Brisco, and Harley Race. As for the matches, people are going to have varied opinions about this set since Flair had over 30 years of matches to choose from but I felt that all the matches showcased things that either weren't acknowledged in his previous sets like feuds (Von Erich & Piper) or time periods in his career (first NWA title run, WCW run, last WWE run), lost classic matches (Sting), or Flair wrestling different types of styles that were rarely seen from him (Terry Funk). So in the end, I'm still saying this is a 5 star release from WWE that I highly recommend.

OK, I just watched the documentary and it is EXCELLENT! The 1st hour is Fantastic! However, it drops off after Flair Comes back to WCW in 1993. Basically Ric says that WCW SUCKED from 1993-2001 and he was glad it was shutdown. I find that hard to believe. His fued with Savage was awesome and that was not even touched on. His 1999 championship is also not touched on. The documentary does pick back up after Ric Returned to WWE in 2001. The last WWE years are covered pretty good(as one would expect!).

Of course everyone is screaming there is not enough matches. I agree. I really wanted to see more Mid-Atlantic stuff with Greg Valentine. His US Title matches from the late 70s etc etc..

All and all I am VERY pleased with the set. However, I have basically every Importnat Ric Flair Match from 1985 Up. Just would be nice to have the all in DVD quality..lol

There are 2 Easter Eggs on Disc 1! Be on The look for them. They are awesome! The first one talks about Tim Woods and the 2nd talks about Rics first Trip to Japan in 1973! Funny Stuff!

This is a three disc set with a comprehensive professional biography and more than two discs filled with matches spanning the 30+ year career of the "Nature Boy." It's filled with exclusive footage from WrestleMania weekend, as well as the emotional sendoff Ric received at Raw the night after WrestleMania XXIV, including footage that never aired on television. Features several matches that have never before been released on DVD, from Mid-Atlantic, World Class Championship Wrestling, WCW, and more.

Disc 1

Beginnings
Plane Crash
The Nature Boy
Traveling Champion
Slick Ric
The Role of a Champion
The Four Horsemen
The Clash with Sting
Slaying the Dragon
Hardcore with Terry Funk
From Crockett to WCW
The Real World Champion
Troubles in WCW
Success in WWE
Evolution
WrestleMania 24 Weekend
Farewell to Flair

Flair Stories
# Too Many Distractions
# Buying Boots
# Bleaching His Hair
# Hanging with the Outlaws
# Ric's Relationship with the Members of Evolution
# Key to the City March 24, 2008

Ric Flair Tribute Video

Disc 2

Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling 08/18/82: Jack Brisco Vs. Ric Flair - A nice number of derogatory comments from Flair to start off this event. Flair plays the traditional heel here being scared of the face, but still taking it to him when he could get the advantage. Kind of a short match, but very good on the technical scale. Still very funny seeing Flair tried coming off the top rope even way back then.

World Class Championship Wrestling 08/24/82: 2 out of 3 Falls Match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship: Kerry Von Erich Vs. Ric Flair - This was long before the late Von Erich had become WWE's "Texas Tornado." This match went over forty minutes and is a huge slugfest between two men that couldn't stand one another. Flair became a bloody mess as he usually does and it ended in a gigantic pull apart brawl. Some really good moves and techniques were used by both men, but they were more focused on just beating down each other. Fun match.

Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling 08/31/83: NWA World Heavyweight Championship Match: Ric Flair Vs. Harley Race - Oddly enough Flair was the face here while the crowd really gave it to Race. I've never seen too many Harley Race matches, but I can see what the big deal was. He was a great heel and really showed it in the ring with his mannerisms and sheer brutality. These guys beat the hell out of one another for close to thirty minutes and I'm amazed they could keep going on. A screwjob finish full of interference doesn't take away from how good the match was throughout, but it would have been nice to see it end cleanly.

World Wide Wrestling 12/15/85: Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, & Ole Anderson Vs. Dusty Rhodes, Magnum TA, & Manny Fernandez - Flair was the champion at the time and the Andersons were tag champs. These were some heated rivalries back then and the crowd was going nuts during this match. Dusty had an injured leg and was doing all he could just to stand up at times, but the heels made it a point to show how dirty they truly were. Rhodes and TA were known as "America's Team" so taking it to them really got the heel heat going for Flair, Arn, and Ole. Not a bad tag match though that ended up turning into a huge brawl near the end.

Clash Of The Champions 03/27/88: NWA World Heavyweight Championship Match: Sting Vs. Ric Flair - Flair's (the Four Horsemen's) manager JJ Dillon was locked in a cage for this match and raised high above the ring. Sting had the blonde flattop and bright face paint which made him insanely over with the crowd. This was a big-time feud from back in the day which I recall seeing numerous times on different Clash Of The Champions events. At the beginning of the match, the announcers beat home the fact that there is a television time limit for this bout. Needless to say it went the distance and went to the judges' score cards. For the three-judge panel, one was in favor of Sting, another for Flair, and the last called the contest a draw. Flair remains champion, but this was the match that made Sting. Totally in his element.

Great American Bash 07/23/89: NWA World Heavyweight Championship Match: Ric Flair Vs. Terry Funk - Flair makes his way to the ring with four beauties in long silver dresses. This was before Funk's body was broken and totally in shambles and...hey, is that Jake "The Snake" Roberts as one of the ringside security? Weird because I really think it was.

Another good match here as Flair used every bit of technical expertise he knew and really laid into Funk. But Funk is a brawler and, according to what I hear from the announcers here, Flair had a bit of a neck problem. They built it up the entire match that one piledriver from Funk could probably end Flair's career. Funk brought the brutality and kept working on the neck hoping to wear down the champion. Things started breaking down though as Gary Hart interfered on Funk's behalf as did the Great Muta. And an unlikely ally in Flair's former enemy Sting came to his aide.

Disc 3

Madison Square Garden 10/28/91: Ric Flair Vs. "Rowdy" Roddy Piper - I remember this feud and it honestly seemed as if they both hated each other's guts. Piper never really had a style because he could be technical one second and then brawl with you the next. There is also a fun bit of humor from Piper included in this match. If you're looking for a match including two of the dirtiest players in the game though, this is it. There is some good brawling and a bunch of behind the ref's back tactics here making this not the most technical match ever, but a fun one.

Spring Stampede 04/17/94: WCW Championship: Ric Flair Vs. Ricky Steamboat - These two had some of the best matches in the history of wrestling and this is no exception. It amazes me just how great these two complimented each other. Never did they have to try and pick up the pace or their own game so that they could make the other look good; they did it on their own. And having Bobby "The Brain" Heenan calling a Flair match is the icing on the cake because he had this freakish love affair with the Nature Boy that was hilarious. A good number of restholds slow this match down at times, but the near falls and close calls keep the tension mounting.

The ending of this match was a double-pin which wasn't the type of clean ending one would hope for from a great match like this. Flair retained at the time and the double pin didn't ruin it, but later forced the title to be vacated at the time.

Taboo Tuesday 11/01/05: Steel Cage Match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship: Triple H Vs. Ric Flair - Future good friends Triple H and Ric Flair would battle it out over Flair's Intercontinental Title in a match decided on by the fans. It was between a steel cage, a regular match, or a submission match. Steel cage won out by a large margin and paved the way for a bloody battle between two of the greatest.

The match went back and forth a lot in the beginning, but then they would eventually exchange control. Triple H went to great lengths breaking out a steel chain and even getting a chair in hopes of beating the Nature Boy. Flair was busted open and had that bloodied hair look early on so it is a wonder how the man loses so much blood and can always continue. Overall this wasn't perhaps one of the matches I would have chosen to be in this set, but it's still a good match nonetheless.

WrestleMania XXIV 03/30/08: Career Threatening Match: Ric Flair Vs. Shawn Michaels - For months Ric Flair had been fighting for his wrestling life. Vince McMahon told Flair that he didn't have to retire as long as he could keep winning, so every match was a possible career ending match. No matter what was thrown at him, Flair still somehow was able to show that the "dirtiest player in the game" was not going down without a fight. For thirty-five years he had been the ultimate name in both sports entertainment and wrestling while fans both new and old respected and loved him. This night would be one of his greatest matches and also his last.

Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels are two favorites that have been around for a very long time. Not only have they made themselves look good, but they also make every single person they step into the ring with look good. This match would just go to prove that they deserve every piece of recognition, all the compliments, and each of the accomplishments they have achieved in their careers. This match portrayed them as the awesome competitors they are and they just put on an absolute masterpiece. Flair gave it everything he had, but in the end it was just too much. The Heartbreak Kid wasn't too happy about it, but he is the one that retired the Nature Boy. It was truly a classic moment as Michaels mouthed "I'm sorry. I love you!" to Flair before delivering the final blow. No wrestling fan should go without seeing this match.

Extras
Ric Flair's Farewell Address: Raw 03/31/08 - If you haven't already seen this, then I don't know how you can call yourself a wrestling fan. This is from Raw the night after Flair's last match at WrestleMania XXIV, and it is simply fantastic. I believe it lasted about twenty minutes when it first aired and had Flair's farewell speech, Triple H's speech, all his friends and family coming to the ring, and then the entire WWE roster coming out. At about the twenty minute mark is when the WWE exclusive footage kicks in if what happened after Raw went off the air and it needs to be seen to be believed and appreciated.

Promos
# Limousine Drivin' Jet Flyin'
# Stylin & Profilin' - NWA World Championship Wrestling May 25, 1985
# Take a Ride on Space Mountain - NWA World Championship Wrestling June 22, 1985
# The Boss - NWA World Championship Wrestling
# August 17, 1985
# Slick Ric - NWA World Championship Wrestling
# September 7, 1985
# Real Men Stay Up - NWA World Championship Wrestling September 21, 1985
# What's Causing All This - NWA World Championship Wrestling December 20, 1985
# Space Mountainettes - NWA World Championship Wrestling April 7, 1987
# Golden Spoon - NWA World Championship Wrestling November 13, 1987

This is a must have for any fan of wrestling!!

None better than the Nature Boy, he is the man and this is a great collection of his matches.

I've been a fan of the Nature Boy for quite some time. This dvd came out to a lot of hype, but didn't live up to it. It seems as though they just put a lot of the information in it that was told in the first Ric Flair dvd that was released, with the exception of his retirement. The song that they put to the story line was good, but it is grossly over used in the dvd. It looks like it was rushed, which the WWE is becoming famous for, and poorly put together. The matches they included are average at best, and definately not the definative collection. Had I known what this dvd was like before I bought it, I wouldn't have wasted my money. I watched it once and haven't looked at it since.